Poets use imagery and words with different connotations and denotations. In a paragraph, define and provide an example of imagery, connotation, and denotation. Then, explain how poets use these elements to contribute to tone in a poem. Support your answer with evidence from “President Lincoln’s Declaration of Emancipation, January 1, 1863.”
It shall flash through coming ages,
It shall light the distant years;
And eyes now dim with sorrow
Shall be brighter through their tears
It shall flush the mountain ranges,
And the valleys shall grow bright;
It shall bathe the hills in radiance,
And crown their brows with light
It shall flood with golden splendor
All the huts of Caroline;
And the sun-kissed brow of labor
With lustre new shall shine.
It shall gild the gloomy prison,
Darkened by the nation's crime,
Where the dumb and patient millions
Wait the better-coming time.
By the light that gilds their prison
They shall see its mouldering key;
And the bolts and bars shall vibrate
With the triumphs of the free.
Though the morning seemed to linger
O'er the hill-tops far away,
Now the shadows bear the promise
Of the quickly coming day.
Soon the mists and murky shadows
Shall be fringed with crimson light,
And the glorious dawn freedom
Break refulgent on the sight.
Imagery uses vivid language to relate to the five senses. Sight,smell, taste, touch and hear. This line from the poem relates, "Break refulgent on the sight." Denotation are the words, phrases, and lines that can be taken literally, like this line from the poem, "...eyes now dim with sorrow" meaning the eyes are dark. Finally connotation. Connotation are the words, phrases, and lines that are meant to be taken figuratively like this line from the poem, "It shall light the distant years;"
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You haven' said what baffles you about this assignment. Start by reading your text to find out what imagery, connotation, and denotation are. Failing that:
http://www.poetryarchive.org/glossary/imagery
And look up words you don't know:
http://www.mirriam-webster.com
everything baffles me about this assignment.
OK. Let's start with the definitions of imagery, connotation, denotation, and tone.
Please post those definitions here. Then we'll help you find examples.
thank you candy rain
Imagery refers to the use of descriptive language that creates vivid and sensory experiences for the reader. In the provided poem, the lines "It shall flush the mountain ranges," "It shall flood with golden splendor," and "And the sun-kissed brow of labor" all employ vivid imagery. These words paint a picture in the reader's mind, evoking visual, auditory, and tactile sensations.
Connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries, beyond its literal definition. It adds layers of meaning to a poem. In the poem, the phrase "And the sun-kissed brow of labor" carries a positive connotation of hard work and dedication. It suggests that labor is valued and respected.
Denotation refers to the literal or dictionary definition of a word. It represents the basic meaning of a word, without any emotional or cultural associations. In the poem, the word "light" is used in different contexts. In the lines "It shall light the distant years" and "And crown their brows with light," the denotation of light is its literal meaning of illumination or brightness.
Poets use imagery, connotation, and denotation to contribute to the tone in a poem. In "President Lincoln's Declaration of Emancipation, January 1, 1863," the poet uses imagery to create a hopeful and uplifting tone. The vivid descriptions of light, brightness, and golden splendor evoke a sense of optimism and positive change.
The connotation of certain words, such as "sun-kissed brow of labor" and "glorious dawn freedom," further contribute to this tone. These words carry positive associations of hard work, progress, and the promise of a better future.
The use of denotation, such as the word "light" in its literal sense, adds to the overall tone by emphasizing the idea of enlightenment and the gradual dispelling of darkness and oppression.
In summary, poets use imagery, connotation, and denotation to create a desired tone in a poem. In "President Lincoln's Declaration of Emancipation, January 1, 1863," these elements work together to convey a hopeful and uplifting tone through vivid descriptions, positive emotional associations, and the emphasis on enlightenment and progress.